Should I Stay or Move? A Foreigner’s Decision Guide After Working 3 Years in Singapore

For foreign professionals in Singapore, reaching the three-year mark often sparks a critical question into focus: should I commit to a future here, or is it time to move on?  

Staying offers exceptional career growth, low taxes, and world-class infrastructure. However, staying long-term without Permanent Residence (PR) can be financially challenging. On the other hand, countries like Australia and Canada offer transparent immigration systems and strong social safety nets, but come with higher taxes and slower career acceleration.

This guide goes beyond how to apply for PR in Singapore. It helps you evaluate the strategic pros and cons of becoming a Singapore PR versus relocating abroad, so you can make a confident, informed decision.

The Case for Staying: Building a Future in Singapore

Choosing to stay in Singapore is a bet on its dynamic economy, unparalleled career opportunities, and wealth-building potential. However, unlocking the full benefits of this path requires a crucial step: transitioning from a temporary work pass holder to a Permanent Resident.

Career Growth and Financial Advantages

Singapore’s status as a global financial and technology hub creates unparalleled opportunities. Professionals in finance, tech, and biotech enjoy fast career progression and one of the lowest personal tax rates globally.

For high-earning singles or dual-income couples, this translates to strong wealth accumulation potential. However, sustaining this lifestyle becomes significantly easier once you obtain PR status.

Why a Singapore PR Application is the Critical Next Step

While a high salary is attractive, the long-term viability of life in Singapore, especially for families. It is fundamentally tied to residency status. Without PR, you face significant financial hurdles that can erode your earning advantage:

• Housing Costs: Non-PRs pay an Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) of 60% when purchasing residential property, effectively locking most into renting. PRs, by contrast, pay only 5% ABSD on their first property.
• Healthcare Costs: Foreigners without PR are ineligible for MediShield Life or government healthcare subsidies. They must rely solely on private insurance or pay unsubsidized rates, especially for hospitalization or specialist care.
• Education for Children: Non-PR children generally cannot attend local schools and must enroll in international schools, with fees ranging from S$20,000 to over S$50,000 annually.

By becoming a Singapore PR, you gain access to these benefits:

• Lower ABSD rates and eligibility to buy resale HDBs.
• MediShield Life coverage and healthcare subsidies.
• Local school access for your children.

In short, a Singapore PR application is not just paperwork, it’s a financial and lifestyle upgrade

How ICA Evaluates Your PR Application: 

Unlike countries with fixed points systems, Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) uses a holistic review approach. There’s no fixed score, but successful applicants tend to show strong economic and social contributions.

Key factors considered include :

• Economic Contributions: A stable employment history, qualifications in in-demand industries, and a strong salary are heavily weighted.
• Social Integration: Evidence of sinking roots is crucial. This can be demonstrated through community involvement, volunteering for local charities, or having family ties in Singapore.
• Long-Term Commitment: Your application should tell a compelling story of why you want to make Singapore your permanent home, but first, you must meet the fundamental Singapore PR criteria.

The government maintains a measured and stable pace of immigration, granting around 33,400 new PRs in 2021 and 34,491 in 2023, which is why you can never be guaranteed a Singapore PR status and the process is inherently competitive.

The Case for Moving: Exploring New Horizons in Australia & Canada

For some, the uncertainty of the PR process and the high-pressure work culture in Singapore lead them to consider alternatives. Australia and Canada are top destinations for professionals leaving Singapore, offering a different value proposition centered on clarity, lifestyle, and social support.

Transparent and Predictable Immigration Pathways

The single biggest advantage of Australia and Canada is the transparency of their immigration systems. Both countries use objective, points-based models for skilled migration, which removes the anxiety of a discretionary application and allows for more concrete life planning. For professionals wanting to compare the specifics, understanding which skilled migrant pathway suits your profession is the crucial next step.

• Australia’s SkillSelect: You can calculate your eligibility through a points system (minimum 65 points). If your occupation is listed as in-demand, your pathway to residency is straightforward
• Canada’s Express Entry System: Canada – Express Entry:
• The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) objectively ranks candidates for permanent residency, offering transparency and efficiency.

This data-driven approach removes the uncertainty that often comes with Singapore’s discretionary process.

A Different Lifestyle and Social Contract

Beyond immigration, the lifestyle offered is a major draw.

• Work-Life Balance: Australian and Canadian work cultures are widely recognized for respecting personal time. The standard 9-to-5 workday is more common, and there is less pressure to be available after hours, a stark contrast to Singapore’s more demanding environment.
• Social Safety Nets: The higher income taxes in these countries fund robust social services. As a permanent resident, you gain access to universal public healthcare (Medicare) and subsidized public education for your children.

For families, this is a game-changer. The high costs of healthcare and education, which are major private expenses in Singapore for non-PRs, become state-funded entitlements. This fundamentally alters the financial equation, often offsetting the impact of higher taxes.

Your Decision Framework: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The choice is not about which country is “better,” but which is the right fit for your priorities. This table summarizes the core trade-offs:

What Matters Most to You?

• If your primary goal is maximizing wealth and career acceleration in a fast-paced environment, and you are confident in building a strong profile, committing to the Singapore PR application process is the logical path.
• If your priority is a predictable path to residency, a better work-life balance, and minimizing the financial burden of family healthcare and education, then exploring a move to Australia or Canada may be the more strategic choice.

Your Path Forward

The decision to stay or go is one of the most significant you will make in your professional life. It requires a deep understanding of not only the official processes but also the financial and lifestyle implications of each choice. Whether you are aiming to strengthen your Singapore PR application, considering the steps toward a Singapore citizenship application, or evaluating opportunities abroad, clarity is key.

Navigating this complex decision requires expert guidance tailored to your unique profile and ambitions. To understand your options with clarity and build a strategy for your future, it is invaluable to speak with a professional.

Contact us today for a personalised consultation and take the first confident step towards securing your future, wherever it may be.